Cairn Gorm (1,245m) is the mountain that gives the national park its name and the most accessible high summit in the Cairngorms. The Cairngorm Mountain Railway carries visitors to 1,085 metres in under ten minutes, making the plateau accessible to people who wouldn't otherwise attempt high mountain terrain. On clear days the view from the summit ridge takes in most of northern Scotland, with the Moray Firth glittering in the distance.
For walkers who prefer their own two feet, several routes lead up from the Coire Cas car park at the base of the ski area. The standard path via the Windy Ridge takes about two hours up. The plateau above gives access to the wider Cairngorm high country: Ben Macdui to the south is a long but manageable day walk from Cairn Gorm, crossing some of the most exposed mountain terrain in Britain.